Apparatus for Performing Body Exercises

ABSTRACT

Exercise apparatus having vertical towers rigidly attached to a base plate, including tower extensions that slide inside the tops of the vertical towers to increase their height, and further including base stabilizer leg extensions connected to the base plate to further stabilize the apparatus due to increased height.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application having Ser. No. 12/541,929, filed on Aug. 15, 2009, and published on Feb. 18, 2010 with publication number 2010/0041531, which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application having Ser. No. 61/089,530, filed on Aug. 16, 2008. The U.S. patent application publication 2010/0041531, referenced immediately above, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this current patent application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus for physical exercise, and more particularly, to a self-contained, exercise apparatus for use by an individual for performing a variety of exercises to strengthen and condition muscles.

2. Description of Related Art

Individuals of all ages are interested in staying fit and being in condition. One method of doing so is by jogging or walking outside or, when at home, by doing sit-ups, push-ups and stretching exercises. It is well recognized, however, that these simple exercises affect only a limited number of muscles in a person's body.

At the present time there are many devices available for use by an individual to exercise various muscles in his/her body. They are, however, usually designed for a specific exercise which affects only a single group of muscles. They are not designed to help an individual exercise multiple groups of muscles in his/her body by performing a plurality of different exercises.

What is needed is an apparatus that is simple in design, economical to build and can be used to exercise various muscles and groups of muscles in the human body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a self-contained portable exercise apparatus is disclosed for performing upper and/or lower body exercises. The self-contained portable exercise apparatus for performing upper and lower body exercises includes a ground-engaging base plate, a first vertical tower rigidly attached to said base plate, a first plurality of holes in said first vertical tower, a second vertical tower rigidly attached to said base plate, and a second plurality of holes in said second vertical tower that are aligned with the first plurality of holes located in the first vertical tower. The base plate extends between the first and second vertical towers, and said first and second plurality of holes are aligned toward each other in a same linear direction. A first plurality of arc-shaped rods are connected to the base plate for attaching stretch cords, and a cross bar slidably extends through two aligned holes of the first and second plurality of holes in said first and second vertical towers. A support bar having first and second vertical members slidably couples to tops of the first and second vertical towers by inserting into the tops of the first and second vertical towers. The first and second collars on the first and second vertical members of the support bar to provide a stop to limit depth when the first and second vertical members are inserted into the tops of the first and second vertical towers. A second plurality of arc-shaped rods are connected to the first and second vertical towers for attaching stretch cords, and a third plurality of arc-shaped rods are connected to the support bar for attaching stretch cords.

Additionally, the exercise apparatus includes tower extensions that are slidably inserted into openings in the vertical towers and the vertical members. The tower extensions enable the height of the support bar to be adjusted using vertical towers of different lengths.

The base plate includes base stabilizer mounts for receiving base stabilizer legs that extend from the base plate to provide additional stability to the exercise apparatus during operation. Base stabilizer leg extensions can be included to extend the length of the base stabilizer legs.

The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred features of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiments as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an apparatus configured in accordance with the present invention that can be used when doing various exercises that provide resistance to various groups of muscles in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus configured in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise apparatus 10 configured in accordance with the present invention. The exercise apparatus 10 is portable and has multiple purposes and uses. The exercise apparatus 10 enables a user to perform body exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, dips, etc. The exercise apparatus 10 includes a stable, flat rectangular-type base 12 that has several rigidly attached arch-shaped rods or bars 14 that provide anchor sites for stretch cords. Two vertical towers 18 are rigidly attached to the base 12 by welding and/or bolts. The vertical towers 18 are spaced apart on the base 12 so that enough room is provided for an individual to execute certain exercises while being positioned directly between the vertical towers 18. Each vertical tower 18 has holes 20 that are aligned with holes in the opposite vertical tower 18 through which a round straight cross bar can be inserted to create a level bridge from one vertical tower 18 to the other vertical tower 18. A person holds onto the cross bar to perform push-ups, pull-ups, dips, stretching, balancing or any other body weight-type exercise. Multiple arch-shaped rods 19 are attached to the vertical towers 18. The locations of the arch-shaped rods 19 are the same on each vertical tower 18. These arch-shaped rods 19 also provide anchor points for stretch cords.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an exercise apparatus 40 configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The exercise apparatus 40 includes a metal base plate 31 having several arch-shaped rods 33 bolted or welded to the base plate 31. The arch-shaped rods 33 provide an anchor point for stretch cords. A handle 35, formed from a U-shaped rod, is bolted or welded to the base plate 31. A pair of wheels 37 is welded or bolted to an end of the base plate 31 opposing the handle 35. The handle 35 enables a user to lift an end of the base plate 31 off the ground and roll the apparatus 40 to a new desired location using the pair of wheels 37.

A first vertical tower 21 and a second vertical tower 23 are rigidly secured to the base plate 31 by welding or bolts 39 securing flanges 41 to the base plate 31. A flange 41 is preferably welded to the base of each vertical tower 21, 23. Each vertical tower 21, 23 includes a plurality of metal arch-shaped rods 24, 25, respectively. The arch-shaped rods 24, 25 are designed to provide an anchor site for stretch cords, similar to the arch-shaped rods 33 located upon the base plate 31. A cross bar 22 is inserted into holes at equal heights within the vertical towers 21,23. A person can hold onto the cross bar 22 to perform push-ups, pull-ups, dips, stretching, balancing or any other body weight-type exercise.

Located across the top of the two towers 21,23 is a support bar 30 that includes vertical members 32, 34. Each vertical member 32,34 includes a tab 43,45, respectively, that is inserted into an opening 44,46 on the top of each vertical tower 21,23. The vertical members 32,34 are preferably sized to have a width similar to the vertical towers 21,23 so as not to fit inside the openings 44,46. However, in other embodiments the vertical members 32,34 could slide inside the openings 44,46 and collars 36,38 located on the vertical members 32,34 function as a stop plate to prevent the vertical members 36,38 from being inserted into the vertical towers 21,23 past the collars 36,38. The collars 36, 38 are preferably metal and welded to the vertical members 32,34 to provide a stop plate that defines the depth that the vertical members 32,34 can slide into openings 44,46 in the top of the vertical towers 21,23 if the vertical members have a smaller width than the vertical towers 21,23. The vertical members 32,34 are metal and preferably welded to the support bar 30.

The support bar 30 provides stability to the vertical towers 21,23. Additionally, a plurality of arch-shaped metal rods 42 are attached to the support bar 30 by welding or bolts to provide an anchor for stretch cord clips when stretch cords are being used in various exercises.

The exercise apparatus 40 can easily accommodate four users simultaneously. Depending upon the exercises being performed, as many as eight people can use the apparatus at the same time. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with other pieces of exercise equipment, such as Bosu® trainers, steps, stability balls, dumbbells, body bars, foam rollers, medicine balls, weighted vests, balance boards, etc.

The apparatus 40 can be used for functional training, sport-specific training, and traditional exercise/fitness training. A user has the capability of performing multiple exercises at the same time. For example, while a user is seated on a chair, the user can be performing a chest press (one arm or two arms) while also executing a knee extension or leg press exercise. Clips attached to stretch cords provide quick and easy changeover of stretch cords for changing exercises.

Clips also provide quick and easy changeover of accessories, such as handles and ankle cuffs. Stretch cords typically have three different resistance levels and four different lengths, such as 6″, 12″, 18″ and 24.″ The resistance level for any exercise can be easily increased by adding more stretch cords to the same anchor point. Additional stretch cords or bands can be used with the apparatus using hardware that can be purchased at a local hardware store. Each of the arch-shaped rods 33,24,25,42 is large enough to accommodate multiple clips, enabling a user to easily increase resistance by adding more stretch cords. In another embodiment there can be more or fewer arch-shaped rods 24,25 on the vertical towers 21,23. The support bar 30 is removable and has 3 high anchor loops 42 for stretch cords. The support bar 30 maintains stability by reducing flexing of the base plate 31 and movement of the vertical towers 21,23 during certain exercises.

The support bar 30 is preferably round and provides a higher point from which to perform pull-up exercises. The vertical towers 21,23 are spaced far enough apart to allow use of other equipment with the apparatus 40, including but not limited to Bosu® Trainers, stability balls, weight benches, chairs, step platforms, etc. The vertical towers 21,23 also are spaced far enough apart to accommodate most wheel chairs for disabled exercisers.

The height of the cross bar 22 is adjustable. The vertical towers 21,23 preferably have five pairs of holes at different heights which are spaced at predetermined distances from the base plate 31 and used for body weight exercises (push-ups, pull-ups, dips, etc) according to progressive overload principles. The apparatus 40 can be used for flexibility training. The apparatus 40 also can be used as another anchor point for stretch cords or as a “barbell” (attach stretch cords or handles around each end) for exercises like squats, barbell curls, bent over row, etc.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exercise apparatus 50 configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the exercise apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 4 includes a base plate 52 which is constructed of metal. Arch-shaped metal rods 54 are attached to the base plate 31 by bolts or welding. A metal U-shaped handle 56 also is attached to the base plate 52 by bolts or welding. The handle 56 enables a user to lift the base plate 52 up at one end and move the exercise apparatus 50 to a desired location. Wheels also may be attached to the end of the base plate 52 opposite the handle 56 to facilitate moving the exercise apparatus 52 to a new location.

Vertical towers 57,58 are secured to the base plate 52. Flanges 59, 60 are attached to the bottom of vertical towers 57, 58, respectively, by welding. The flanges 59, 60 are then used to secure the vertical towers 57, 58 to the base plate 52 by welding or bolts. The vertical towers 57, 58 include metal arch-shaped rods 61, 62 which are bolted or welded to the vertical towers 57, 58, respectively. The arc-shaped rods 61 on vertical tower 57 and the arc-shaped rods 62 on vertical tower 58 are located at similar corresponding locations on the vertical towers 57, 58. Preferably, the arc-shaped rods 61 and the arc-shaped rods 62 are positioned equidistant from each other on their respective vertical towers 57, 58.

The vertical towers 57,58 include holes 63,64, respectively, which pass completely through their vertical towers 57, 58. The holes 63,64 are located at similar corresponding heights on their respective vertical towers 57, 58, and are preferably spaced apart equally. The holes or apertures 63, 64 are sized and designed to receive a crossbar, similar to the crossbar 22 shown in FIG. 2. A crossbar slides into any of the corresponding holes 63, 64 to position the crossbar at variable heights within the exercise apparatus 50.

The top of each vertical tower 57,58 has an opening 53,55 sized to receive a vertical member 65, 66 or a tower extension 67, 68. Vertical members 65, 66 include tabs 69,70, respectively, which are located at the ends of the vertical members 65,66 and have a slightly smaller width then be vertical members 65,66. Accordingly, when the tabs 69, 70 are inserted into a receptacle sized for the tabs 69, 70, the larger width of the vertical members 65,66 will function to operate as a stop plate to prevent the vertical members 65,66 from being inserted beyond the length of the tabs 69, 70. Similarly, the tower extensions 67, 68 also include tabs 71, 72, respectively, at the end of each tower extension 67, 68. The tabs 71, 72 have a width slightly smaller than the tower extensions 67, 68. Similarly, the increased width of the tower extensions 67, 68 prevent the tower extensions 67, 68 from being inserted into a receptacle or properly sized opening beyond the depth of the tabs 71, 72.

The vertical members 65,66 are connected by a round metal support bar 74. The support bar 74 includes arc-shaped rods 75 on the bottom side of the support bar 74. Similar to the arc-shaped rods 54,61,62, the arc-shaped rods 75 can be used to attach stretch cords using clips. In addition to providing additional stability the vertical towers 57,58, the support bar 74 can be used for pull-ups and additional stretch cord exercises.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, tower extensions 67, 68 are inserted into the openings 53, 55 on the tops of the vertical towers 57,58 to increase the height of the support bar 74. While the present embodiment enables the support bar 74 to be positioned at a standard height by not using the tower extensions 67, 68, tower extensions 67,68 enable a user to adjust the height of the support bar 74 to variable increased heights by using tower extensions 67,68 of different lengths. While each pair of tower extensions 67,68 need to be similar lengths to keep the support bar 74 parallel to the base plate 52, a user can increase the height of the support bar 74 to the desired height by selecting a pair of tower extensions 67,68 having the appropriate length.

Tower extensions 67, 68 are attached to the exercise apparatus 50 by inserting the tabs 71, 72 of the tower extensions 67, 68, respectively, into the openings 53, 55 into tops of the vertical towers 53, 55, respectively. In turn, the tabs 69, 70 of the corresponding vertical members 65, 66 are inserted into the openings 76, 77 on the tops of the corresponding tower extensions 67, 68. If desired, holes for receiving a crossbar may be included in the tower extensions 67, 68 in order to increase the available height options for a user of a crossbar.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exercise apparatus 100 configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-4, the exercise apparatus 100 includes a flat metal base plate 102 having arc-shaped rods 104. Vertical towers 106, 108 are rigidly secured to the base plate 102. Apertures or holes 110, 112 are included in the vertical towers 106, 108 for receiving a crossbar 114 which is sized to slide snugly through each of the corresponding holes 110, 112. The holes 110, 112 are preferably located at equidistant locations on each vertical tower 106, 108 and at equal heights from the base plate 102 on each vertical tower 106, 108. The vertical towers 106, 108 are rigidly secured to the base plate 102 by flanges 116,118 which are welded to the bottom of each vertical tower 106, 108 and then the flanges 116, 118 are securely bolted using bolts 117 and/or welded to the base plate 102. The vertical towers 106, 108 include arc-shaped rods 120, 122 at equal height locations and preferably equidistant or spaced equally apart on each vertical tower 106, 108.

A U-shaped metal handle 101 is bolted to a first end of the base plate 102, and a pair of wheels 103 are secured to the opposing second end of the base plate 102 by brackets 105. The handle 101 enables a user to lift an end of the base plate 102 off the ground and roll the exercise apparatus 100 to a new desired location using the pair of wheels 103 on the opposing end of the base plate 102.

Tower extensions 124, 126 include tabs 128,130 which are inserted into the corresponding openings 132, 134 of the vertical towers 106, 108. Vertical members 136, 138 having corresponding tabs 140, 142 are inserted into openings 144, 146 of the tower extensions 124, 126. A support bar 148 is rigidly connected to the tops of the vertical members 136, 138. Arc-shaped rods 149 are attached to the support bar 148 for receiving one or more stretch cords 150 which are connected to the arc-shaped rods 149 by clips.

In accordance with another aspect of this embodiment of the present invention, base stabilizer legs 152, 154, 156, 158 are attached to the base plate 102 to improve the stability of the exercise apparatus 100. Each of the base stabilizer legs 152, 154, 156, 158 include metal footpads 160, 162, 164, 166 which are welded to the each respective base stabilizer leg 152, 154, 156, 158. The base stabilizer legs 152, 154, 156, 158 are preferably hollow steel tubes, which may have a rectangular, circular or other cross-sectional configuration.

Base stabilizer mounts 168, 170, 172, 174 are hollow steel tubes that are welded to opposing ends of the base plate 102. The base stabilizer mounts 168, 170, 172, 174 are open ended and sized to receive a base stabilizer leg 152, 154, 156, or 158 in an open end. Each of the base stabilizer legs 152, 154, 156, 158 are sized to snugly slide into an opening on the end of each base stabilizer mounts 168, 170, 172, 174. By sliding a base stabilizer leg 152, 154, 156 or 158 into the each of the base stabilizer mounts 168, 170, 172, 174, the footprint or effective size of the base plate 102 is greatly increased to add additional front and back stability to the exercise apparatus 100. This increased stability enables a user to confidently utilize the tower extensions 124, 126 to increase the height of the support bar 148 without significantly reducing the stability of the exercise apparatus 100.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, base stabilizer leg extensions 176, 178, 180, 182 may be slidably coupled between each of the base stabilizer mounts 168, 170, 172, 174 and the base stabilizer legs 152, 154, 156, 158 to further increase the effective length of the base stabilizer legs 152, 154, 156, 158. The base stabilizer leg extensions 176, 178, 180, 182 include a hollow tube coupler 184, 186, 188, 190 having one end welded to the base stabilizer leg extension 176, 178, 180, 182 and the other end of the coupler 184, 186, 188, 190 open and sized for receiving a base stabilizer leg 152, 154, 156, 158.

While specific embodiments have been shown and described to point out fundamental and novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes of the form and details of the apparatus illustrated and in the operation may be done by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A portable exercise apparatus for performing upper and lower body exercises, comprising: a ground-engaging base plate; a first vertical tower rigidly attached to said base plate; a second vertical tower rigidly attached to said base plate; said base plate extending between the first and second vertical towers, a first tower extension having a bottom end for slidably coupling to the top of the first vertical tower; a second tower extension having a bottom end for slidably coupling to the top of the second vertical tower; and a support bar having first and second vertical members, wherein said first vertical member slidably couples to a top end of the first tower extension, and said second vertical member slidably couples to a top of the second tower extension.
 2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said first vertical tower includes a first plurality of holes; said second vertical tower includes a second plurality of holes that are aligned with the first plurality of holes located in the first vertical tower; and said first and second plurality of holes being aligned toward each other in a same linear direction; and said exercise apparatus further comprising: a cross bar that slidably extends through two aligned holes of the first and second plurality of holes in said first and second vertical towers.
 3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first plurality of arc-shaped rods connected to the base plate for attaching stretch cords; a second plurality of arc-shaped rods connected to the first and second vertical towers for attaching stretch cords; and a third plurality of arc-shaped rods connected to the support bar for attaching stretch cords.
 4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second vertical members of the support bar slidably couple to the top ends of the first and second tower extensions by sliding inside openings at the top ends of the first and second tower extensions, and the bottom end of the first and second tower extensions slidably couple to the top of the first and second vertical towers, respectively, by sliding inside the tops of the first and second vertical towers.
 5. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a first collar on the first vertical member; and a second collar on the second vertical member, wherein the first and second collars provide a stop to limit depth the first and second vertical members slide inside the top ends of the first and second tower extensions.
 6. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a first tab on the first vertical member sized to slide inside the opening on the top end of the first tower extension, and the first vertical member is too wide to slide inside the opening on the top end of the first tower extension; and a second tab on the second vertical member sized to slide inside the opening on the top end of the second tower extension, and the second vertical member is too wide to slide inside the opening on the top end of the second tower extension.
 7. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a third tab on the bottom end of the first tower extension sized to slide inside the opening on the top of the first vertical tower, and the first tower extension is too wide to slide inside the opening on the top of the first vertical tower; and a fourth tab on the second tower extension sized to slide inside the opening on the top of the second vertical tower, and the second tower extension is too wide to slide inside the opening on the top of the second vertical tower.
 8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first flange on the bottom of the first vertical tower; a second flange on the bottom of the second vertical tower; and the first and second flanges are secured to the base plate.
 9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first and second flanges are secured to the base plate by bolts.
 10. A portable exercise apparatus for performing upper and lower body exercises, comprising: a ground-engaging base plate; a first vertical tower rigidly attached to said base plate; a second vertical tower rigidly attached to said base plate; said base plate extending between the first and second vertical towers; a support bar having a first vertical member connected to the top of the first vertical tower, and a second vertical member connected to the top of the second vertical tower; and a first and a second base stabilizer leg connected to opposing ends of the base plate.
 11. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a first and a second base stabilizer leg mount connected to opposing ends of the base plate, wherein said first base stabilizer leg is connected to the first base stabilizer leg mount, and the second base stabilizer leg is connected to the second base stabilizer leg mount.
 12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a third base stabilizer leg connected to the first base stabilizer leg mount; and a fourth base stabilizer leg connected to the second base stabilizer leg mount.
 13. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and third base stabilizer legs are slidably connected to the first base stabilizer leg mount, and the second and fourth base stabilizer legs are slidably connected to the second base stabilizer leg mount.
 14. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first base stabilizer leg mount has a first and a second opening, and the first and third base stabilizer legs slide inside the first and second openings, respectively, of the first base stabilizer leg mount, and further, wherein the second base stabilizer leg mount has a first and a second opening, and the second and fourth base stabilizer legs slide inside the first and second openings, respectively, of the second base stabilizer leg mount.
 15. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of wheels coupled to the base plate for moving the exercise apparatus.
 16. A portable exercise apparatus for performing upper and lower body exercises, comprising: a ground-engaging base plate; a first vertical tower rigidly attached to said base plate; a second vertical tower rigidly attached to said base plate; said base plate extending between the first and second vertical towers; a first tower extension having a bottom end that slides inside an opening in the top of the first vertical tower to connect to the first vertical tower; a second tower extension having a bottom end that slides inside an opening in the top of the second vertical tower to connect to the second vertical tower; a support bar having first and second vertical members, wherein said first vertical member slides inside an opening in the top end of the first tower extension to connect to the first tower extension, and said second vertical member slides inside an opening in the top end of the second tower extension to connect to the second tower extension; a first and a second base stabilizer leg extension connected to opposing ends of the base plate; a first and a second base leg extension coupler connected to the first and the second base stabilizer leg extension, respectively; and a first and a second base stabilizer leg connected to the first and the second base leg extension coupler, respectively.
 17. The exercise apparatus as set forth in claim 16, further comprising; a first and a second base stabilizer leg mount connected to the opposing ends of the base plate; said first base stabilizer leg extension connected to the first base stabilizer leg mount; said second base stabilizer leg extension connected to the second base stabilizer leg mount; a third base stabilizer leg extension connected to the first base stabilizer leg mount; a fourth base stabilizer leg extension connected to the second base stabilizer leg mount; a third base stabilizer leg connected to the third base stabilizer leg extension by a third base stabilizer leg extension coupler; and a fourth base stabilizer leg connected to the fourth base stabilizer leg extension by a fourth base stabilizer leg extension coupler.
 18. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first and the second base stabilizer leg mounts include a hollow tube secured to the base plate.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first, second, third and fourth base stabilizer leg extension couplers include a hollow tube.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: said first vertical tower includes a first plurality of holes; said second vertical tower includes a second plurality of holes that are aligned with the first plurality of holes located in the first vertical tower; said first and second plurality of holes being aligned toward each other in a same linear direction; and said exercise apparatus further comprising: a cross bar that slidably extends through two aligned holes of the first and second plurality of holes in said first and second vertical towers. 